Corvette Cost and Family Income and C6 base cost
04-26-2003, 04:25 AM
#1
Melting Slicks
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Corvette Cost and Family Income and C6 base cost
The table below compares the base cost of a Corvette to the mean family income in the U.S. (Least expensive Corvette - Coupe or Convertible).
For example: 1953 - base cost $3498 vs family income of $4706 = 74%
Some Observations: Corvettes were most affordable in the mid 70s. Chevrolet appears to progressively have jacked-up the price of the 1980-82 cars, my guess, to numb us to C4 sticker shock in 1984. While the C3 was targeted towards the "average guy", C4 performance upgrades took the Corvette out of the reach of the "average guy".
Prediction: base price of a C6 coupe will be about 62% of the mean 2005 family income. (2001 mean family income was $66,863, est 2005 family income at $77K or base price of a C6 coupe at $46K)
As recent C5 price increases have been modest, I don't expect to see a huge increase in the base price of the C6 over a C5. If the C6 was going to cost a LOT more than the C5, Chevrolet would already be in the midst of a 1980-82 style "numbing" exercise. My $.02 for today.
Percentage of Family Income
1953 - 74 --- 1963 - 58 --- 1973 - 40 --- 1983 - 00 --- 1993 - 73
1954 - 59 --- 1964 - 55 --- 1974 - 39 --- 1984 - 70 --- 1994 - 73
1955 - 59 --- 1965 - 53 --- 1975 - 42 --- 1985 - 74 --- 1995 - 72
1956 - 58 --- 1966 - 49 --- 1976 - 45 --- 1986 - 77 --- 1996 - 69
1957 - 58 --- 1967 - 48 --- 1977 - 47 --- 1987 - 76 --- 1997 - 66
1958 - 65 --- 1968 - 45 --- 1978 - 47 --- 1988 - 76 --- 1998 - 63
1959 - 65 --- 1969 - 42 --- 1979 - 46 --- 1989 - 76 --- 1999 - 60
1960 - 62 --- 1970 - 44 --- 1980 - 55 --- 1990 - 75 --- 2000 - 60
1961 - 61 --- 1971 - 45 --- 1981 - 63 --- 1991 - 75 --- 2001 - 60
1962 - 61 --- 1972 - 42 --- 1982 - 67 --- 1992 - 76
Family income data from US Census web site.
[Modified by mapman, 10:13 AM 4/26/2003]
For example: 1953 - base cost $3498 vs family income of $4706 = 74%
Some Observations: Corvettes were most affordable in the mid 70s. Chevrolet appears to progressively have jacked-up the price of the 1980-82 cars, my guess, to numb us to C4 sticker shock in 1984. While the C3 was targeted towards the "average guy", C4 performance upgrades took the Corvette out of the reach of the "average guy".
Prediction: base price of a C6 coupe will be about 62% of the mean 2005 family income. (2001 mean family income was $66,863, est 2005 family income at $77K or base price of a C6 coupe at $46K)
As recent C5 price increases have been modest, I don't expect to see a huge increase in the base price of the C6 over a C5. If the C6 was going to cost a LOT more than the C5, Chevrolet would already be in the midst of a 1980-82 style "numbing" exercise. My $.02 for today.
Percentage of Family Income
1953 - 74 --- 1963 - 58 --- 1973 - 40 --- 1983 - 00 --- 1993 - 73
1954 - 59 --- 1964 - 55 --- 1974 - 39 --- 1984 - 70 --- 1994 - 73
1955 - 59 --- 1965 - 53 --- 1975 - 42 --- 1985 - 74 --- 1995 - 72
1956 - 58 --- 1966 - 49 --- 1976 - 45 --- 1986 - 77 --- 1996 - 69
1957 - 58 --- 1967 - 48 --- 1977 - 47 --- 1987 - 76 --- 1997 - 66
1958 - 65 --- 1968 - 45 --- 1978 - 47 --- 1988 - 76 --- 1998 - 63
1959 - 65 --- 1969 - 42 --- 1979 - 46 --- 1989 - 76 --- 1999 - 60
1960 - 62 --- 1970 - 44 --- 1980 - 55 --- 1990 - 75 --- 2000 - 60
1961 - 61 --- 1971 - 45 --- 1981 - 63 --- 1991 - 75 --- 2001 - 60
1962 - 61 --- 1972 - 42 --- 1982 - 67 --- 1992 - 76
Family income data from US Census web site.
[Modified by mapman, 10:13 AM 4/26/2003]
04-26-2003, 12:57 PM
#4
Drifting
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Re: Corvette Cost and Family Income and C6 base cost (Rocketblock)
THAT does not surprise me........ thanks for the info.
05-01-2003, 03:22 AM
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Re: Corvette Cost and Family Income and C6 base cost (mapman)
Good post and thanks for the "legwork". On the flip side, look at how percentages basically stayed the same from 54-57 but took a 7% jump in 58. Of course, percentages also dropped from the C4 to C5, so it's basically anyone's guess as to what will happen. Recognizing patterns is one thing, predicting the future from patterns is another. ;) But again, thanks for bringing this to our attention. :cheers:
05-01-2003, 10:49 AM
#7
Safety Car
Re: Corvette Cost and Family Income and C6 base cost (Thunder7)
VERY good post. You can clearly see how the percentage was reflected in sales of particular years.
05-01-2003, 01:23 PM
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Re: Corvette Cost and Family Income and C6 base cost (mapman)
The amazing part to me is the cost of EVERY thing else out there. I recently bought a Z71 Tahoe, it had a MSRP of over 44K.
People really do not understand that the Vette is not that much more, as it used to be. I get snide comments all of the time for people about being "snooty" as they step out of they 4X4 Suburban with a sticker over 50K.
I have to just laugh.
[Modified by GEAUX, 12:24 PM 5/1/2003]
People really do not understand that the Vette is not that much more, as it used to be. I get snide comments all of the time for people about being "snooty" as they step out of they 4X4 Suburban with a sticker over 50K.
I have to just laugh.
[Modified by GEAUX, 12:24 PM 5/1/2003]
